California Air Resources Board

Principal Investigator/Author: Brian Taylor     

Contractor: University of California, Los Angeles

Contract number: 21RD008

Project Status: Completed March 2025

Relevant CARB programs: Sustainable Communities & Climate Protection Program, Research Planning

Topic areas: Sustainable Communities, Research & Sustainable Communities, Sustainable Community Strategies (SCS), Vehicle Miles Traveled (VMT) Reduction & Climate Goals, Land Use & Transportation Research

Research Abstract:

This report investigates how California's Metropolitan Planning Organizations (MPOs) evaluate transportation projects for inclusion in their Regional Transportation Plans (RTPs) and Transportation Improvement Programming (TIP) documents. The study aims to determine the extent to which MPOs incorporate state climate and equity goals into project selection.

The report examines the transportation planning activities of seven California MPOs and associated County Transportation Commissions and Regional Transportation Planning Agencies (RTPAs). It focuses on MPO planning and programming to meet climate goals mandated by Senate Bill (SB) 375 and advance state equity goals.

The findings reveal that MPOs face challenges in incorporating climate change and equity concerns into their planning and programming processes. Despite state mandates, MPOs often lack the resources and expertise to conduct rigorous project evaluations. Additionally, the influence of local governments and funding constraints can limit MPOs' ability to prioritize climate and equity goals.

The report concludes that MPOs need greater support from the state to effectively address climate change and equity concerns. Recommendations include providing MPOs with additional resources for planning and evaluation, developing more robust climate and equity evaluation criteria, and increasing transparency and accountability in project selection processes.

Keywords: sustainable community strategies (SCS); transportation and land use; SB 375; equitable climate policy; evaluation methods

Research Seminar